Job 21:11

_THEY SEND FORTH THEIR LITTLE ONES LIKE A FLOCK, AND THEIR CHILDREN DANCE._ Send forth - namely, out of doors, to their happy sports under the skies, like a joyful flock sent to the pastures. LITTLE ONES - like lambkins. CHILDREN - somewhat older than the former. DANCE - not formal dances, but skip, like lambs in joyous and healthful play....

7-16 Job says, Remarkable judgments are sometimes brought upon notorious sinners, but not always. Wherefore is it so? This is the day of God's patience; and, in some way or other, he makes use of the prosperity of the wicked to serve his own counsels, while it ripens them for ruin; but the chief reason is, because he will make it appear there is another world. These prospering sinners make light of God and religion, as if because they have so much of this world, they had no need to look after another. But religion is not a vain thing. If it be so to us, we may thank ourselves for resting on the outside of it. Job shows their folly....

Verse Job 21:11. _THEY SEND FORTH THEIR LITTLE ONES_] It is not very clear whether this refers to the _young of the flocks_ or to their _children_. The first clause may mean the former, the next clause the latter; while the _young_ of their _cattle_ are in flocks, their numerous _children_ are healthy and vigorous, _and dance for joy_....

THEY SEND FORTH THEIR LITTLE ONES - Their numerous and happy children they send forth to plays and pastimes. LIKE A FLOCK - In great numbers. This is an exquisitely beautiful image of prosperity. What can be more so than a group of happy children around a man’s dwelling? AND THEIR CHILDREN DANCE - Dance for joy. They are playful and sportive, like the lambs of the flock. It is the skip of playfulness and exultation that is referred to here, and not the set and formal dance where children are instructed in the art; the sportiveness of children in the fields, the woods, and on the lawn, and not the set step taught in the dancing-school. The word used here (רקד _râqad_), means “to leap, to skip” - as from joy, and then to dance. Jerome has well rendered it, _“exultant lusibus”_ - “they leap about in their plays.” So the Sep

EXPOSITION JOB 21:1 Job answers Zophar, as he had answered Bildad, in a single not very lengthy chapter. After a few caustic introductory remarks (verses 2-4), he takes up the challenge which Zophar had thrown out, respecting the certain punishment, in this life, of the wicked (Job 20:4), and maintains, "in language of unparalleled boldness'' (Cook), the converse of the proposition. The wicked, he says, live, grow old, attain to great power, have a numerous and flourishing offspring, prosper, grow rich, spend their time in feasting and jollity—nay, openly renounce God and decline to pray to him—yet suffer no harm, and when they die, go down to the grave without suffering, "in a moment" (verses 5-15). To the suggestion that from time to time they are cut off suddenly in a signal wa

THEY SEND FORTH THEIR LITTLE ONES LIKE A FLOCK,.... Of sheep, which are creatures very increasing, and become very numerous, Psalms 144:13; to which a large increase of families may be compared, Psalms 107:41, for this is not to be interpreted of their kine sending or bringing forth such numbers as to be like a flock of sheep; but of the families of wicked men being increased in like manner; and the sending them forth to be understood either of the birth of their children being sent out or proceeding from them as plants out of the earth, or branches from a tree; or of their being sent out not to school to be instructed in useful learning, but into the streets to play, and pipe, and dance; and it may denote, as their number, so their being left to themselves, and being at libe

CHAPTER 21 JOB'S REPLY _ 1. Hear my solemn words--then mock on (Job 21:1)_ 2. His testimony concerning the experiences of the wicked (Job 21:7) 3. Your answers are nothing but falsehoods (Job 21:27) Job 21:1. This answer shows that Job gets the upper hand over his accusing friends in this controversy. In a masterly way he meets their arguments. He wants them to hear diligently, and if they choose, after he has spoken, they may mock on. He is not complaining to man, or making his appeal to these human friends. He begins to look for another helper, even to God....

JOB 21. JOB'S REPLY. Zophar was graphic and vigorous, but had nothing to say. Nevertheless his speech suggests to Job his next argument. The facts are quite the opposite of what Zophar has said: the wicked do not die prematurely. Is the doctrine of Providence true? JOB 21:1. Job invites the friends to listen in silence (Job 21:5) at the terrible truths he has to disclose (Job 21:6). In Job 21:4 read of man (_mg.) :_ the meaning is that Job complains of God. JOB 21:7. The prosperity of the godless. In...

CHILDREN. lads....

The mystery is, Why do the wicked prosper? They live long, they see their children grow up, and their homes are peaceful (Job 21:7). Their cattle thrives (Job 21:10). Their children and they pass a mirthful life with music and dance (Job 21:11). And with no pain at last they die, though they had openly renounced God (Job 21:13). Yet it is God who bestows this prosperity upon them (Job 21:16)....